Snughouls: A Cryptid Collection

I see lots of fondness and requests for a scarier option, so I'd like to meet everyone in the middle! Original post and conversation here, https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/mcmadmissile/Snughouls/updates/3181

Good news critters! A big box of prototypes arrived today and for the most part they all look incredible! I'll be taking extensive photos tomorrow to share with you all, as well as updating the preorder store with their final looks (you can also get a sneak peek right now on twitter!)

I'm very happy to see only a couple tweaks need to be made-- namely, Gutsy's belly badge application and Pumpkin Patch Beelzebear's belly badge in general. After looking at it all afternoon I've come to the conclusion the lack of contrast is pretty disappointing and stands out in a bad way next to all his very vibrant cousins. 



Because I'd like to submit any changes sooner rather than later, I whipped up a poll for you all to decide Pumpkin Patches' new badge! I've taken inspiration from vintage pumpkin designs since I think that works best thematically and will be simple enough to embroider in a pleasing way. 



Let me know your thoughts! I'm open to suggestions and developing these ideas further. 

Just got the tracking number for the big box of prototypes! They'll be here thursday-- HYPEEE. I plan to get some turnaround photos asap, share my thoughts, edits, and where we go from here!

The main reason I'm making this update though is to share my excitement and let you all know where some of the money you've invested in Snughouls is going. I've been talking to over half a dozen manufacturers this month alone, about everything from shirts to plastic figures.

Items actively in development are:

Tote bags
Pins
Washi Tapes
Frosted Acrylic Keychains
Both dry and liquid shaker keychains, including ones with custom figures inside!
 
And now shirts are much closer to becoming a reality too!! In addition to the design collaboration with Charmsey, I have another little surprise up my sleeve-- some embroidered sweatshirts featuring the snughouls as cute lil' icepops.
 

I have virtually no experience sourcing or buying shirts so it's been a bit scary finding the right print shop for us, but I believe we're finally on the right track now. My hope is to order samples before hosting the preorder so we know exactly what we're getting into and I can guarantee the quality first hand.



Be on the lookout for shirt preorders in mid February! I should also have some fun stickers and keychains ready to compliment them incase a shirt isn't in your budget right now 💖

Happy Saturday critters! I'M ALIVE! And so happy to be back after a rather tumultuous holiday 😅

First off I would like to apologize to folks waiting on their series 1 snughouls. I hate making excuses, but we opened our home to some family in December who took advantage of our hospitality and I'm just now getting my office back together as of this week. It was an extremely draining experience and an unexpected setback to be sure. AND it makes me even happier that a fulfillment company will be handling the vast majority of orders so we can avoid annoying delays like this in the future.

The good news is I 100% guarantee these orders will be going out Monday and Tuesday. They're packed and scheduled to be picked up in two batches next week, hooray! (And you'll receive an email shortly after your package is scanned in for those concerned, but feel free to message me if you don't receive one by Thursday. )

🎁🎁🎁

Now without further ado, I'd like to announce the giveaway winners! Even though I picked randomly, I read through each and every comment and I really appreciate those of you who took the time to share your joy 💖

1. Phrike
2. Forged From Ember
3. Rocky
4. Alex Drost
5. SLAUGHTERGUTZ

Shoot me an email at [email protected] (and include your backerkit email if replying from a different one just so I can cross reference) and I'll get those keychains sent out asap!

While work and updates were relatively slow towards the latter half of December, I do have two additional lil' things to share! First up is a washi tape/lanyard/potential bookmark design I'm very excited about.



And finally I received photos of the nearly finished Twilight prototype! The only adjustment needed is a slight darkening of the bags under the eyes, but otherwise I think this dreamy lil' critter is as cute as he can possibly be. 



Once this change is made the 8 finished prototypes will finally ship out! In the meantime I plan to follow up on the bug friend, bandage, and juice box prototypes so we can continue to make progress and I'll have more updates to share.

One last thing to note! This weekend I'll be combing through comments and doing my best to respond to everyone I may have missed during December! Thank you so much for your patience, and if you don't hear back from me in the next couple days please give me another poke 🙏 I'm returning to my usual work schedule as of right now, so updates and answers will go back to their usual frequency as soon as I'm caught up. 

Critters, Charmsey has been putting in some WORK and when I say I'm excited, that doesn't even begin to express how amazing I think these guys are going to look in real life.

The left image was designed for the sleeves, while the right would be on the front! (These are very rough, so any inconsistencies you see would be corrected before painting.)



In other exciting news, the finished prototypes should be shipping out this month! That means I can get some turn-around photos, make some final adjustments (Gutsy's belly badge for starters), and be one huge step closer to placing the bulk order.

I believe the only prototypes that WON'T ship with this batch are Luna and Grimshroud. I want to confirm that Moonlight Mothman is up to snuff first, and then the prototyping on those two can begin.

I also came home to the Rotwell shaker keychains today! They look stellar of course.



Seeing as how it's the season of giving (and I ordered extras for fun😜), I'd like to do a little mini-giveaway!

Just comment here with what you're most excited about this holiday season, and I'll pick 5 people at random to send a Rotwell keychain. Ends on the 30th!

In case I'm scarce next week, merry christmas, happy holidays and here's to a 2024 full of peace and plushies 🥂 💖